The super simple way to create a repeating pattern in Procreate
Have you ever wondered if there is a simpler way to create patterns in Procreate which means you can test them as you go along?!
I discovered this method a few months into my surface pattern journey and I have never looked back.
There are two parts to creating patterns in this way:
Creating the template itself
Learning to create patterns using the template.
This blog post mainly covers the first point - creating your template, and an upcoming post will focus on how to create great patterns using the template.
At the heart of this method you are creating a pattern within the outline of a tessellating shape which can repeat seamlessly.
Take a look at the pattern in the picture above. I designed the elements all within the template shape I created (which you can see in white).
Once you have filled the shape with your pattern, you simply duplicate the layers and drag them to the corners as you would normally do when creating a basic repeat in Procreate and leave the original layer where it is. Hey presto - you have a complete pattern! (If this makes no sense to you right now, keep reading, I'm going to break it down!)
The template could be as simple as a diamond shape, but to add more interest and flow to your patterns you can use all sorts of shapes to form the pattern base, they just need to be able to tessellate with one another as you can see below.
But how do you create for yourself a template shape that can tessellate?!
It's actually very easy in Procreate an I'm going to show you how!
There are quite a few steps to this and at first glance it may look super complicated but don't panic! I have included very detailed instructions for those who are new to Procreate and might not know all the features.
Those of you who know Procreate well will be able to wizz through these very quickly and may not need to spend very long on each step.
I promise you that once you've done it once you'll realise how easy it is and this will be your new favourite way to make patterns too!
Step 1
Create a new canvas in Procreate. I usually create a 12 by 12 inch canvas at 300dpi.
Step 2
Mark the middle horizontal line of the canvas by following these steps:
Drop a solid colour on the first layer of the canvas.
Turn the opacity of this layer down so it is transparent. You can do this by tapping the N next to the layer and using the slider.
Then with snapping and magnetics turned on, and ensuring freeform is selected, drag this layer from the top until it gets to the middle. When snapping and magnetics are on, the line should go orange when you hit the exact middle.
This layer will be deleted later on but it helps us with our next step!
Step 3
Next, turn on the symmetry function. You do this by tapping the spanner icon at the top left of Procreate and toggle the Drawing Guide button to on. Then tap Edit Drawing Guide and ensure Symmetry is selected at the bottom. Under Options select Vertical.
Step 4
At this point it's really important to add a layer on top of the coloured one. Tap the new layer and from the menu that comes up select Drawing Assist. That activates the symmetry function you've just set up to this layer meaning that anything you now draw on this layer will be mirrored exactly on both sides of the canvas.
Step 5
If you've made it this far - congratulations! You've now set up the canvas and it's just the fun part left, drawing the template.
To do this we are going to be drawing in the bottom right hand quadrant of the canvas. The vertical line is marked as we have the Drawing Guide on, and the horizontal line is marked by our 1st layer of colour.
Select any brush (I like to use a pencil brush) and draw a wavy line from the middle of the right side to the middle of the bottom side. (The closer you can get to the exact middle of each, the more accurate the template will be).
Remember that as Symmetry is on, it will come out on the other side of the horizontal line too. You should end up with something similar to what I have drawn below:
Step 6
Now you need to duplicate this layer twice. On the layer swipe across to the left and hit duplicate, then do it again so in total you have three identical layers.
Select one of these layers and drag it to the top left hand corner. (You need to again make sure magnetics and snapping is on so it should turn orange when it gets to the middle.)
Do the same with the next layer but drag it to the top right hand corner.
If everything has gone smoothly, it should look something like this:
Step 7
To finish it off, delete the bottom coloured layer and merge the three template layers together.
You can either save this whole file to your documents or you can save it to your camera role and import it into a new document each time you need to use your template.
Having fun with templates
There are all sorts of templates you can make using this method and it's a good idea to take a bit of time to play around with the different shapes you can make. Here are some ideas below:
How to design patterns using your templates
Now you've made your template you can use it to create a repeating pattern.
If you'd like some instructions on how to create a pattern using your template you can download my free step-by-step guide and three bonus templates by clicking on the image below!
What Next?
If you've found this helpful, or you have any questions at all, drop a message in the comments box below and I'll get back to you. I'm very happy to clarify anything that might need a bit more explanation!
If you like the look of this method, why not check out my Procreate Patterns Class. This will give you a step by step method for creating repeat patterns in Procreate that will save you SO much time and enable you to create beautiful repeats that you can upload to your print on demand shops of portfolio!
